The Master's University men's soccer team defeated Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (AZ) in a tight 1-0 match at Reese Field in Santa Clarita, Calif. Thursday afternoon.
The Mustangs entered the match with the hopes of ending a 4-game losing streak to change the momentum of their season. But to make this happen, they had to stop their first conference opponent of the season in the Eagles.
The first half was a quiet affair, as both teams relied on their defense to prevent any chances on either side. And while only two shots were recorded, both from The Master's, this was all part of the plan.
"We were playing a lot more compact and trying to work together offensively," Head Coach Jim Rickard said after the game.Â
But The Master's began the first five minutes of the second half defending an offensive push from Embry-Riddle. And while they maintained the zone, the teams returned to a center field duel with no shots recorded.
The Master's began their own offensive push, recording a volley of ten shots while the Eagles used the small chances they had to record four shots of their own.Â
With a little over six minutes left in the game, senior forward Alexis Garcia found himself defended by a single Eagle player, as he watched a centering pass curve towards him. He jumped higher than his opponent and directed a header past the Embry-Riddle goalkeeper, tallying the first and only goal of the game.
Embry Riddle played hard and desperate, but The Master's held them off and played all the way to the end, tallying their first win of the season.
Coach Rickard was pleased with how his team played.
"Our primary goal was a shutout… but we got the goal to win and it wouldn't have happened without the shutout. I think we really limited their shots, which is important, and we even got the finish we needed."
Garcia's third goal of the season was assisted by junior defenseman Matt Picht and senior forward Caden Zierenberg, with the latter kicking the centering pass. And this goal also came after Garcia had to sit out for the most of last season due to injury.
"It's all God, it is all within His hand." Garcia said about his injury. "I know he had something planned for me since last year. I know I couldn't help the team last year… physically. I just honor Him and enjoy this time because I know He has been preparing this stuff for me."
Sophomore midfielder Trent Rickard led the team with four shots, with graduate student midfielder Theo Kudlo close behind with three shots and freshman goalkeeper Julian Graham recording a single save against Embry Riddle's four shots.
Embry Riddle was one of three teams to join the GSAC after leaving the CalPac Conference, becoming a new conference opponent for The Master's to face.
But the next match for the Mustangs will be against a familiar foe, as they travel to La Mirada, Calif. to play against Hope International University on Saturday at 2Â p.m.
